🌊 Discoveries on Welsh Shores! 🌊
During a simple stroll along Llanddona beach, teacher and author Chloe Heuch got a surprise she didn’t expect! While picking up litter, she came across a coffee cup lid that was serving as the unexpected home for some intriguing sea creatures.
On a mission to clean up the coast, Chloe picked up the lid with plans to toss it in the bin. But when her daughter gave it a closer look, they were met with a fascinating sight—tiny marine life had taken over! They thought they’d discovered some type of peculiar sea slug.
Curious to know more, Chloe shared her find on social media. Soon after, an underwater photographer chimed in, identifying the mysterious guests as sea squirts, specifically Ciona intestinalis. These unique creatures can make any surface their home, from boat hulls to pilings, especially in harbours and marinas around the UK.
While striking in appearance with their translucent yellow colouring, they aren’t harmful but are considered an invasive species that can form dense colonies. This means there’s a whole bunch of rules to prevent their spread, like cleaning boats and ensuring bilge water is treated on land.
Initially, Chloe wanted to dispose of the lid, but seeing the creatures thriving, she left them be, remarking on their happiness in such a cramped space. An underwater surprise on a regular day at the beach turned into an educational experience about the fascinating marine life living right under our noses!
Nature has its way of surprising us when we least expect it, don’t you think? What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve found at the beach? Share your stories! 🐚🌍